In Conversation with Funky Qla

If there’s one thing South Africans do well—and consistently—it’s dancing. Regardless of the occasion, dance always finds its way in. It serves as both a coping mechanism and a symbol of freedom, bringing joy even in the face of adversity. One artist dedicated to igniting that joy, seven days a week, is accomplished DJ and producer Sphamandla Ngema—better known as Funky Qla. His latest EP, Dark or Durban 2, continues this mission.

Inspired by the phrase “dark or blue,” Dark or Durban is more than just a title in Funky Qla’s catalog—it’s a statement of resilience and triumph.

In the conversation below, we catch up with Funky Qla to discuss his latest offering, Dark or Durban 2.

Firstly, we have to talk about your stage name—how did you come up with Funky Qla?

When I started DJing, I originally went by Funky Q. The Q comes from my middle name, Qiniso. But at the time, most deep house DJs had stage names that started with “La”—almost all of them were La-something. I wanted to stand out, so instead of putting La at the beginning, I placed it at the end. That’s how Qla (pronounced cue-la) was born.

This is your second EP under the name Dark or Durban. How did the name come about, and do you plan on naming all your projects Dark or Durban?

The name is inspired by the phrase dark or blue, which I’m sure you’re familiar with. Back in 2023, I had set out to release new music—not just a single, but a full project. But life was lifing, and I faced a few challenges while creating the project and planning its rollout. At some point, I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to release the EP.

At the same time, I was rebuilding myself and my brand after the COVID-19 pandemic, juggling gigs while trying to prioritize studio time. It was frustrating, but my supporters seemed even more frustrated. Every time I posted on social media, the first comment would be, When are you dropping new music? Even at shows, people kept asking the same thing.

That’s when I made up my mind—come what may, I was finishing the EP and releasing it. I told my team, We’re on. Dark or blue, this EP is coming out. At first, we thought of naming it Dark or Blue, but because I’m a proud Durbanite, Dark or Durban felt more fitting. It represented my determination to complete the project while also paying homage to the city that inspires me and that I love dearly.

I do think all my future projects will carry the Dark or Durban name. It reminds me of what matters most—the music I make and the people I make it for. Dark or Durban 2 is more of a celebration, following the struggle of getting the first one out.

Speaking of the music you make, why have you chosen to stick to gqom in an era so heavily skewed towards amapiano?

Honestly? Because I’m stubborn (laughs). I’ve always loved gqom—it’s what I know and what I enjoy creating. That said, I do draw inspiration from other genres and find ways to blend those influences into my sound. Even on Dark or Durban 2, you’ll hear traces of house, amapiano, and other elements.

There’s always room to explore, and I do experiment with different sounds, but at the end of the day, gqom is the genre I love and want to keep making. There’s definitely an audience for it, and I believe there’s space for gqom and other genres to coexist in the wider music ecosystem.

Dark or Durban 2 is a sonic experience—it starts off calm with Shayi’Zule and closes with the drum-pounding Durban Funk. When creating this EP, what vision did you have for how people would experience the music?

I wanted to make a project that eases you out of the workweek and ushers you into the weekend. Shayi’Zule is the intro—it’s that moment when you’re leaving work, heading home, or getting ready to hit the groove. It leads into Utshwala, which has quickly become a fan favorite. That track speaks to how alcohol is like a truth serum—once you’re under the influence, all secrets come out (laughs). While this is dance music, I also think it’s important to weave in messaging that reflects our daily lives, and that’s what I hope this song does.

Then you have Spotify, Umapholoba, and Durban Funk—these are pure feel-good tracks, designed to get you moving. By the time you reach the end of the EP, I want you to feel so good that you immediately want to play it again.